Weekend of wonders
Monday 14 December 2009 13:25, UK
Figueroa's free-kick, Villa's victory, Wenger's words and Tevez's talent all caught Chris Kamara's eye.
Kammy picks out the best of the Premier League weekend
Every Saturday afternoon, Chris Kamara heads to stadiums up and down the country to deliver his unique match reports for Soccer Saturday. On Sundays you can see him back in the Sky Sports studios as he brings you all of the Premier League highlights on Goals on Sunday. And then on Mondays you can find Kammy right here on skysports.com as he brings you his Premier League picks of the weekend. Join us every week as he runs through his highs and lows as well as answering YOUR questions... GAME - Bolton 3-3 Man City
It was a cracking weekend. The 3-3 draw between Chelsea and Everton was brilliant, the Stoke v Wigan game was an absolute cracker, then you had Liverpool v Arsenal and Aston Villa winning at Man United. It's hard to pick a game of the weekend, so I'm basically going to side with the game I was at, Bolton's 3-3 draw with Man City. I haven't been to a really special game so far this season - most of the games have been okay - but this was the first one to get me jumping up and down. There were some fantastic goals and it was a joy to be there.
PLAYER - Carlos Tevez
Kevin Davies was awesome against Man City, Andrei Arshavin deserves a mention too, while Gabriel Agbonlahor, Lee Bowyer and Louis Saha all scored important goals. But I'm giving it to Carlos Tevez, who was the best player on the pitch in the Man City game. He works so hard for the team, but not only does he cover every blade of grass but he has the ability to go with it. Really good.
GOAL - Maynor Figueroa
There's only one choice this week isn't there? Maynor Figueroa's effort from his own half against Stoke City was outstanding. I was so impressed by his speed of thought to work out it was on - and then the execution was sensational. It's easy to say a Stoke player should have stood in front of the ball, but nobody would have expected that strike in a million years. There have been some fine goals this season, but I'm struggling to think of a better one so far.
TEAM - Aston Villa
It has to be Aston Villa going to Manchester United and winning for the first time in 26 years. It was very much backs to the wall, but that's the only way you're going to win at Old Trafford because Man United are always going to have a go at you. Villa started very well, had a go at them and got the goal and then defended well for the second half. They deserve team of the week.
GAFFER - Arsene Wenger
Arsene Wenger gets this for his half-time team talk at Anfield. It's not like him to rant and rave at his players (although we have seen him get emotional on the touchline), but I suppose there's always a first time. They didn't look like the usual Arsenal in the first 45 minutes but he got a lot more out of them in the second. There was a lot at stake too; winning that game has changed the perspective on their season.
GRIPE - Bellamy's red card
I was at the Bolton v Man City game, where Craig Bellamy was sent off for a second yellow card. It was a really disappointing decision because Bellamy clearly did not dive and if Mark Clattenburg was unsure he should have given the benefit of the doubt to the striker. It is also wrong that he can't appeal against the yellow card because now somebody like Martin Petrov might come in, score a couple of goals and take Bellamy's position in the team. Diving was a hot topic this weekend because Martin Atkinson didn't book Steven Gerrard for diving last week, but did book Wayne Rooney for the same offence on Saturday. There is inconsistency and it's very frustrating.
Kammy answers your questions...
Do you want Chris Kamara to answer YOUR question? Email him at skysportsclub@bskyb.com or use the feedback form at the bottom of the page. RAFA RED-DY TO GO?As a life long Red I can only say one thing regarding the incumbent manager... if he stays. In Rafa we Rust. Get shut now, it's almost too late. Jim C
KAMMY SAYS: It does look like Rafa's time is over, but when do you get rid of him? Who can Liverpool line up to come in? You're not going to get Jose Mourinho at this stage of the season. I think they should let Rafa see the season out and make a decision then.
I do feel that Rafa lost it from the day he came out and had a pop at Sir Alex. People might say he was making relevant points, but clearly Sir Alex got under his nose and he lost his focus. I don't think he's got that focus back. Liverpool can still salvage something out of this season and for their fans I hope that happens - and then Rafa might end up staying. There isn't a ready-made replacement yet, so in the words of The Beatles, let it be.
BLUE CHRISTMASIf you had said at the start of the season at Christmas Birmingham would be behind Liverpool only on goal difference I would have got you sectioned! What a job Alex has done at Blues! He's got to be the manager of the month. Happy Xmas to all of you at Sky. Simon Smallwood.
KAMMY SAYS: I don't disagree with that. I'm so impressed by how few goals they're conceding and how many clean sheets they're keeping. Only Chelsea have kept more clean sheets this season, which is a fantastic record. They've got something to build on now and even though it went down to the wire in their bid for promotion last season, they have built momentum in the Premier League in a very short space of time. Surely there can't be another winner of manager of the month?